Duane Wokasch (Cass Lake Times, August 5, 1999)
Duane E. Wokasch of rural Cass Lake died July 28, 1999, at his home.
Funeral services were held Aug. 2 at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery Chapel in rural Little Falls, MN with the Rev. Gerald Algers officiating. Interment was at the Minnesota State Veteran’s cemetery with military honors by the Brainerd American Legion Post.
He was born March 27, 1933, in Fairmont, MN, the son of Floyd and Harriet (Kessler) Wokasch. He was raised and educated in Fairmont. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and served in Korea with Company “G” of the 31st Infantry. He married Mary Ann Gunderson on Sept 18, 1954, in Jackson, MN. They moved to Minneapolis where he managed a finance office. In 1969, they moved to Buffalo Lake where he was employed by the Gronseth Telephone Company in advertising sales for the Yellow Pages telephone directory. They moved to the Cass Lake area in 1980. He retired in 1990. They made their home near Birch Ridge Resort on Leech Lake. He helped organize Ottertail Peninsula into a township. He was a member of the Ottertail Peninsula Township Board, serving as supervisor in 1987 to 1990.
He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to hunt, fish and go wild ricing; and he also loved to cook.
He was a lifetime member of the Sebeka American Legion.
He is survived by a daughter, Patricia (Neil) Burgstahler of Stewart, MN; three sons: Thomas (Gail Leese) Wokasch of East Dubuque, IL., Michael (Barbara) Wokasch of East Olive, MI, and 1SG Mark Wokasch of Fort Drum, NY; a sister, Janice Hudson of Fairmont, MN; two grandchildren, Elisa and Rilee; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife on Oct 12, 1995; his parents; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Delores.